Book Review for The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale by Virginia Kantra

 The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale by Virginia Kantra

Published December 5, 2023 by Berkley

 

Taken from Goodreads:  A woman learns to follow her own road in this heartwarming novel inspired by The Wizard of Oz by New York Times bestselling author Virginia Kantra.

Dorothy “Dee” Gale is searching for a place to belong. After their globe-trotting mother’s death, Dee and her sister Toni settled with Uncle Henry and Aunt Em in Kansas, where Dee attends graduate school. But when Dee’s relationship with a faculty member, a bestselling novelist, ends in heartbreak and humiliation, she’s caught in a tornado of negative publicity. Unable to face her colleagues—or her former lover—Dee applies to the writing program at Trinity College Dublin.

Dee’s journey to Ireland leads her to new companions: seemingly brainless Sam Clery—who dropped out of college and now runs a newsagent’s shop—is charming and hot, in a dissolute, Irish poet kind of way; allegedly heartless Tim Woodman—who stiffly refused to take back his ex-fiancée—seems stuck in his past; and fiercely loyal Reeti Kaur, who longs for the courage to tell her parents she wants to teach underprivileged girls rather than work in the family business.

In a year of opportunities and changes, love and loss, Dee is mentored by powerful women in the writing program, challenging her to see herself and her work with new eyes. With her friends, Dee finds the confidence to confront her biggest fears—including her intimidating graduate advisor, who may not be so wicked after all.

Faced with a choice with far-reaching consequences, Dee must apply the lessons she’s learned along the way about making a family, finding a home...and recognizing the power that’s been inside her all along.

 

My Thoughts:  I love fairytale retellings.  This is the first Wizard of Oz one that I have read, and I love it.   Virginia Kantra took a familiar story and brought it into the current time and did it perfectly.  

 Dee (aka Dorothy) has started a new journey to find a way to finish her college education and start the career she has always wanted in writing.  The new journey has her opening her eyes, looking at what she always believed, and seeing how her reactions to life caused the decisions she made.    She was forced to grow up at a young age and made “safe” decisions her entire life.   With her new journey she was forced to step outside her comfort zone, rely on others for help, and stand up for herself.  

 I read and loved Virginia Kantra’s Little Women retelling and was so excited to see that she was writing another.   I recommend picking up your own copying and visiting Oz (or Dublin) for a great book.

Add to your MUST-READ list on Goodreads

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Meet Virginia Kantra (taken from her website):  New York Times bestselling author Virginia Kantra is the author of over thirty novels about strong women, messy families, and the search for a place to call home. Her stories have earned numerous awards including two Romance Writers of America’s RITA® Awards, and two National Readers’ Choice Awards.

Her most recent novels, Meg & Jo and Beth & Amy (inspired by the classic Little Women) received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and the American Library Association’s Booklist and praise from People Magazine.

Married to her college sweetheart, Virginia lives in North Carolina.

She loves to hear from readers! Find her on Instagram and Facebook.

Book Blitz for When All is Said and Done by Christy Hayes with a GIVEAWAY

 

When All is Said and Done by Christy Hayes

Publication date: December 5th 2023
Genres: Women’s Fiction

Synopsis:

A heartbreaking novel about the sacrifices we make for love.

After an unstable childhood, marriage isn’t just a promise to Dustin Carver, it’s his lifeline. He and Tegan grew up together, fell in love, and planned their perfect life. When the future they imagined gets derailed by her demanding law career, their marriage slowly slides off the rails.

Tegan can’t believe her husband took her threat of a separation seriously and walked away without a backward glance. Heartbroken and embarrassed, she covers for his absence with lies. Lies she tells herself about her career. Lies she tells her family about her marriage. And lies she’s yet to confess to her husband about a secret she kept while he was away. When Dustin finally returns, she’s running on fumes and her lies are about to be exposed.

Seven weeks in Key West licking his wounds and watching his best friend fall in love is enough to convince Dustin to come home and fight for his marriage. Saving their relationship means returning to therapy and facing a bitter truth neither wants to address. What if their childhood romance doesn’t have a happy-ever-after ending?

This emotional read told with brutal honesty begs the ultimate question for marriages far and wide. At the end of the day-at the end of our lives-what is worth fighting for, and when, if ever, should we walk away?

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199671851-when-all-is-said-and-done

Purchase:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3GpiV1R

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-all-is-said-and-done-christy-hayes/1144218841

iBooks: https://books.apple.com/nz/book/when-all-is-said-and-done/id6469376500

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/when-all-is-said-and-done-3

AUTHOR BIO:

Christy Hayes writes romance and romantic women's fiction. She is the proud mother of two grown children and lives outside Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and rescue dogs. 

Author links:

http://www.christyhayes.com/

https://twitter.com/SeaHayes

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/christy-hayes

https://www.instagram.com/christyhayesauthor/

https://www.facebook.com/ChristyHayesAuthor/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4984001.Christy_Hayes

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Available Now!! Once Upon a Charming Bookshop by Heatherly Bell

 

Title: ONCE UPON A CHARMING BOOKSHOP

Author: Heatherly Bell

Genre: Small Town Contemporary Romance

Tropes: Best friends to lovers, he falls first, Christmas, coastal read, small town, emotional intimacy, bookworm heroine, books, a very mean cat

Publisher: Harlequin Special Edition

“Luke’s unwavering loyalty to Lexi and her family gives this sweet romance unexpected integrity ...Readers looking for a tender romance that leans more toward the emotional than the physical will find this very satisfying." ~ Publishers Weekly/Booklife review on Country Gold

"Heatherly Bell writes romance that will capture your heart." ~ Marina Adair, New York Times bestselling author

"What a thoroughly delightful story. I adored it." ~ Lori Wilde, New York Times bestselling author on Lucky Cowboy

Time to rewrite their story?

He’d always simply been her best friend. But when Noah Cahill moved back to town, bookstore owner Twyla Thompson knew something was different. Was it holiday memories of the loss they'd both shared or Noah’s surprising decision to reignite a dangerous career? Their solid friendship had been through so much, yet now Twyla grew breathless every time Noah was near. Why wasn’t Noah—handsome, fun, but never one to cross the line—showing any signs of stopping?

Then with little warning other than the sudden shine in his eyes, he hauled her by the neck to him and kissed her, square on the lips. It was a deep and long kiss that didn’t seem to have a beginning. Nor did it have an end. He pulled her tight and they were hip to hip, belly to belly. Even through the shock of the totally unexpected, she kissed him back. She sunk her fingers into his hair and kissed him with everything she had in her. With every last inch of longing wrapped up in her, saved over the years and packed away where the raw intensity of the emotion couldn’t destroy her.

She fisted his shirt. She ran her hands up and down his back, feeling the muscles tense and bunch.

It was over just as quickly and then they were both panting, staring at each other.

“I’m sorry.” Noah took a step back, leaving a healthy distance between them. “Yeah, I shouldn’t have done that. That’s wrong.”

Wrong?

“It’s okay,” she stammered because she didn’t know what else to say in the moment.

Yes, it was wonderful, please kiss me again, because I think maybe I’ve always loved you?

“It’s just…that was wrong of me. I don’t feel that way about you.” 

Oh, God. There went her heart, pierced and sliced into tiny bits.

I don’t feel that way about you.

No, he was right. This was wrong. And if he had regrets then damn it, so did she.

“Me, neither. I don’t feel that way about you.”

“I know.”

The certainty in his voice broke her heart a little. How could he be so sure she wasn’t straight out lying, trying to save her pride?

She chewed on her lower lip. “So, let’s just forget it. Pretend the kiss never happened.”

“But…we’re okay?”

Worry and regret filled those dark puppy dog eyes. Not long ago, she would have understood. But now she knew what it was like to be kissed by Noah and her heart shattered to think it would never happen again.

“We’re okay. You’re probably right, huh? Bad idea.”

“Yeah, I just don’t want to…you know…” He ran a hand through his hair, looking desperately vulnerable, like a man searching for a lifeline.

And what kind of friend would she be not to throw one to him?

“It was just, well, okay, maybe we’re both lonely. And it’s after midnight. I…got um, confused.” She had no idea what she was saying but it sounded good, and he seemed to be receptive.

“Yeah, so did I.”

“And I’ve got a date tomorrow night so that could be awkward.”

Now she’d lied to her best friend, but she’d also kissed him within an inch of his life, so either way she was in brand new territory here.

He quirked a brow. “You have a date? Who is he?”

“Some guy.”

“Some guy? Does ‘some guy’ have a name?”

“Of course he has a name, Noah. He’s some guy I just met.” She crossed her arms. “Weren’t you leaving?”

He scowled. “Yeah. I have an early day tomorrow.”

“Bye.” She closed the door before he could say another word.

Now she was going to have to find herself a date.

Bestselling author Heatherly Bell was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama but lost her accent by the time she was two. After leaving Alabama, Heatherly lived with her family in Puerto Rico and Maryland before being transplanted kicking and screaming to the California Bay Area. She now loves it here, she swears. Except the traffic.

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Book Blitz for Homecoming Chaos by D.W. Brooks with a GIVEAWAY

 

Homecoming Chaos by D.W. Brooks

Publication date: November 21st 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense

Synopsis:

Jamie Scott’s life fell apart four years ago when she broke off her engagement, turned down a dream job, and went overseas to run away from her life. Now she’s back, but the reunion is not without problems. She arrives home just in time to attend the soiree her mother planned, but she’s not prepared for what she finds—a dead employee in the parking lot.

Detective Nick Marshall is assigned to the murder case at the forensics lab owned by Jamie’s family. He meets the headstrong Jamie, but he has a job to do. And his attraction to her… well, he’s a professional.

Jamie knows the stakes are high. She has to face the past and save her parents’ business while dealing with her family drama and an uncertain future. She also has to deal with Nick, who wants her out of the way of his investigation. But fate keeps throwing them in one another’s paths… and into chaos that they both want to avoid, but neither can seem to escape.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199499710-homecoming-chaos

Purchase:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/46A45jH

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1144277742

iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/homecoming-chaos/id6469733473

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/homecoming-chaos

AUTHOR BIO:

Author, Physician, and Kidney Transplant Survivor

Becoming an author was an early dream of mine but was pushed aside by practical considerations. A health crisis awakened the desire to write again. And with the ability to self-publish, I could see a path to getting my stories out of my head and into books that others could enjoy.

Author links:

https://authordwbrooks.com/

https://www.facebook.com/authordwbrooks

https://twitter.com/lifethereboot

https://www.pinterest.ca/theworldofdwbrooks/author-d-w-brooks/

https://www.instagram.com/authordwbrooks/

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Release Blitz for Sable Peak by Devney Perry

 

Sable Peak by Devney Perry is now live! 

An unrequited love, small town romance from Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author, Devney Perry.

Vera Gallagher is chasing constant. For four years, her life was anything but normal. And the years before that she refuses to even remember. Dwelling on the past only hurts. Life is fragile, a lesson her mother taught her well. She's determined not to waste a moment of her newfound freedom.

Maybe some would consider her crush on Mateo Eden wasted time. Maybe some would call her a fool for loving a man who hasn't once dropped a crumb of interest her way. Still, to Vera, it's Mateo or nothing.

He's handsome. Charming. Witty. And he loves his family the way Vera loves—with her whole heart.

Maybe he'll never notice her. Maybe she's too damaged, too broken, to find that normal life she craves. Maybe her secrets will always keep them apart. But Vera will love him anyway. Whether Mateo realizes it or not.

  Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://bit.ly/44bwg7t

Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/SablePeak

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3qBpPNh

Meet Devney 

Devney Perry is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of over forty romance novels. After working in the technology industry for a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to pursue her passion for writing. She was born and raised in Montana and now lives in Washington with her husband and two sons. 

 

Connect with Devney

Website: www.devneyperry.com

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2kncXnb

Amazon: https://geni.us/nAXkP

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Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/324585607979213/

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Release Blitz for The Keeper by Bella Matthews

 

The Keeper by Bella Matthews is now live! 

Easton Hayes has been my knight in shining hockey skates since he saved my life.

This devastatingly handsome grump may be everyone’s favorite goalie, but to me, he’s my strength when demons haunt my dreams. And okay—so maybe he’s also the only man I’ve ever loved. But he doesn’t need to know that.

We’re friends.

It works for us.

At least, it did. Until I wake up with his ring on my finger and the hangover from hell. But what happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas when he refuses to give me an annulment and follows me across the country instead.

Now our families are furious.

Our friends are playing matchmaker.

I’m getting goosebumps each time I hear the words “my wife.”

And I think my husband might be in love with me.

  Download today or read for FREE with #kindleunlimited

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3PYHRSa  

Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/wzImBGp     

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/45uRsWA 

Meet Bella

Bella Matthews is a USA Today & Amazon Top 50 Bestselling author. She is married to her very own Alpha Male and raising three little ones. You can typically find her running from one sporting event to another. When she is home, she is usually hiding in her home office with the only other female in her house, her rescue dog Tinker Bell by her side. She likes to write swoon-worthy heroes and sassy, smart heroines. Sarcasm is her love language and big family dynamics are her favorite thing to add to each story.

 

Connect with Bella

Website: www.authorbellamatthews.com  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20795160.Bella_Matthews 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B08NFK9K4M?ingress=0&visitId=8b4845c0-1ab8-467b-ac2a-4ddf36d673fd   

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bella.Matthews.Author   

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